Golden Cap Trust 10

This 10-kilometre (6.2 mi) trail follows the course of the excellent Trust10 and starts from the National Trust’s Stonebarrow car park. Marked with red arrows, it’s easy to follow at any time of year. The figure-of-eight loop provides a wonderful exploration of the area including the airy summit of Golden Cap, the highest point on the south coast. The Golden Cap estate includes some of the best traditional hay meadows in the country in terms of rare wildflowers and biodiversity.

The car park is particularly long; head to its very furthest point in the east to find the start of the route.

1: Starting at the bottom end of Stonebarrow car park, go through the gate and follow the path down through the field. Stay on this track heading towards Golden Cap. Keep on the path and head through a gate, the Trust10k will be signposted.
2: Follow the path through the farm ahead of you, in the direction of St Gabriel’s.
3: After the farm, take a right turn over a stile which takes you off the track and into a field. Head over another stile and walk downhill. At the bottom of the field, go over another stile and turn right down the track.
4: Follow the track until you see some cottages ahead of you, now take a sharp right down the track (signposted Coast Path).
5: Head up the field going through two gates consecutively and keep left until you reach a gap in the fence with a sign indicating ‘Golden Cap 3/4 mile’. This takes you down some steps, over a bridge and up some steps. Mind your footing as it can get slippery when wet. Keep heading upwards, but take a minute to turn round and enjoy the views over Charmouth.
6: You are now at the top of the Golden Cap. Enjoy.
7: Follow the path left from the summit marker, heading downhill. Follow the path down and head through a gate towards Langdon Wood. Go through the gate at the bottom and turn left into the woods. At the next turn, head right. Follow the track round the woods towards Langdon car park.
8: As you approach the carpark keep the National Trust interpretation boards on your left, walk through the gate and carry on along the track around the woods.
9: After a short distance, veer right off the track onto a narrower track and carry on until you turn right off this track through a field. Go through a kissing gate and you’ll see a signpost showing ‘St Gabriel 3/4 mile’. Head through the gate at the end of the field and cross the road heading straight through the gate opposite. At Filcombe Farm (the National Trust North & West Dorset office is on your left), head down the field, go through the next gate and continue on the track.
10: Walk past the lake on your right and head straight, passing through several gates. After the third, turn left. You’re now at the centre of your figure-of-eight loop, continue on for about 5-10 minutes but instead of veering left to the Golden Cap, turn right to Charmouth. Head up field and go through a gate, staying on the coastal path. Stay close to the hedge and don’t go through the bigger gate ahead as you will quickly come to a smaller kissing gate in the hedge to pass through. Walk downhill with a sea view on your left, you’ll drop down some steps and head over a bridge. Go through the next gate and head right.
11: Take a left turn and stay on the Coast Path.
12: Turn left through a gate, cross over a stile and turn right. Follow the sign to Charmouth and you’ll climb up a number of steps.
13: Turn left at the top of the hill. This takes you to an incredible view point out to Lyme Regis. Veer right to head inland.
14: Follow the track ahead and then turn right to skirt the car park. The track takes you downhill and heads east.
15: Eventually, you’ll join a track that goes uphill to the left.
16: This will bring you to the car park where you started your adventure.